University of Helsinki
International Conference to celebrate 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages declared by Unesco and the United Nations
When? 19.–20.9.2019
Where? University of Helsinki, Main Building, Fabianinkatu 33
‘Árran’ means hearth/fireplace, and we take it as an analogy to how languages allow people to come together and share their different experiences. On the Year of Indigenous Languages declared by the Unesco and United Nations, the main objective of our conference is to bring together both indigenous and non-indigenous scholars, activists, and artists in order to discuss indigenous languages in light of the current socio-political, economic, and environmental changes, which at present affect the world. Our aim is to exchange knowledge on best practices for the promotion of Indigenous languages, which are often listed as endangered, and to advance knowledge on the relations between Indigenous languages, ontologies, and epistemologies. The conference allows us to match the goals risen by the Unesco by celebrating the Year of Indigenous Languages, and to effectively contribute to scholarship in developing the concept of language ecology further. Metaphorically, sharing stories and narratives, verbal art, ways of speaking, and their symbolism fuels the warmth and guarantees the continuation of the Árran.
Keynote speeches: Gunvor Guttorm (Sámi University of Applied Sciences) and Anthony Webster (University of Texas at Austin).
Opening words: Alexey Tsykarev (EMRIP)
Speakers include:
Mere Kepa (University of Auckland, Aoteorea-New Zealand)
Linita Manu’atu (Api Fakakoloa Educational Services, Auckland, New Zealand & Tonga Institute of Education, Kingdom of Tonga)
Daniel Mundurucu (Mundurucu author, Brazil)
Ekaterina Grudzeva (University of Helsinki)
Harald Gaski (University of Tromsø)
Inga Ravna Eira (Sámi author)
Jelena Porsanger (University of Helsinki)
Katarina Pirak Sikku (Sámi artist)
Maria Khachaturyan (University of Helsinki)
Robert Brave Heart Sr. (Executive Vice President at Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota)
Stef Spronck (University of Helsinki)
Organizers: Laura Siragusa, Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen, Hanna Guttorm, Irja Seurujärvi-Kari (Indigenous Studies), Rani-Henrik Andersson and Olesya Khanina (Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies)
Program and Conference website: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/conferences/arran-ecology-of-indigenous-languages
Registration before Sept 12th: https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/97903/lomake.html (places limited)
The event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/811183392592139/
For further information, please contact conference secretary, Indigenous Studies:
Mariia Rauramo: mariia.rauramo@helsinki.fi